"Master, I hear your words, but their meaning is clouded for me; please speak plain to me, that I may understand you."
"Jacopo, life and death are related together, which, however, a secret and indissoluble union connect with each other. Not for nothing have I put you to the test; when I visited this cursed place, when I sounded my gold pieces, it was only because I wanted to find out whether misery had also corrupted your soul."
"Oh," replied Jacopo, contemptuously, "it does not say much to have remained an honest man."
"You are too modest, Jacopo; I have found you again as I left you ten years ago; now, listen, will you accompany me?"
Jacopo trembled all over.
"Leave Marseilles?" muttered he, in half-suppressed words; "oh, master, if you only knew that it is my sole and only joy to wander on the strand, and to contemplate that blue ocean which swallowed her up!"
"Jacopo, I have come here for the purpose of fetching you, as I am in want of you. I have to undertake difficulties; my way leads into foreign lands, on ways where death and crime are on the watch, and I have counted on your assistance. Shall I have been mistaken?"
Instead of an answer Jacopo made a bow, and taking the hands of his master, kissed them.
"Thanks, master," muttered he; "I am yours in body and soul!"
"Good, Jacopo, I know you!"